The European champions were forced to comeback from behind to beat Saudi Arabia 3-2 in Innsbruck. The side dressed in all white opened the scoring through Hawsawi. Villa equalised for the Red Fury, before Xabi Alonso put Spain ahead after the break. The side from the Middle East equalised through Al Numare on 74 minutes, but Llorente headed the winner two minutes into stoppage-time.

Fernando Torres, who started full training this week, watched the game from the dug-out alongside his teammates and the Spain coaching staff. The forward looked on as his side edged a plucky Saudi Arabia side with almost the last kick of the game.

The Arabians started strongly with Sultan Al Numare shooting wide from a good position inside the box. At the other end Ramos headed wide for Spain, but it was Saudi team who were to draw first blood.

Saudi Arabia took a surprise lead just after the quarter of an hour mark. Abdoh Autef’s corner was met by Osama Hawsawi who headed past Iker Casillas in the Spain goal.

Vicente Del Bosque’s team took the game to their rivals, and the pressure paid after on the half hour mark. Villa directed an Iniesta cross past Waleed Ali to equalise for Spain.

Once level, Spain looked to add a second. Sergio Ramos crashed a header against the post and Villa had an effort fly just past the upright. Despite Spain’s persistence, Saudi Arabia held on for the final minutes of the first-half to go in level at the break.

Sultan Al Numare tested Casillas from outside the box with the second-half’s first effort on goal. The shot however lacked any real pace as the Spain keeper made a comfortable save.

Xabi Alonso fired European Champions in front on 60 minutes. The midfielder’s strike took a slight deflection off a rival before finding the back of the net.

The second period was a very stop-start affair with a carrousel of substitutions as the two teams made several changes. Pedro and Javi Martinez both came on for their Spain debuts as Vicente Del Bosque looked to give his players a run-out.

Saudi Arabia grabbed a shock equaliser in a rare attack on 74 minutes. A shot from Al Sahlawi took a wicked deflection off Al Numare before beating a stranded Casillas.

Spain pushed forward in search of a winner during the final quarter of an hour of the friendly. Capdevilla, Xavi, Llorente, and Navas in the final minute, all came close. But just when it looked like Saudi Arabia would hold on for a draw, up-popped Llorente to head a corner past Waleed.


- Match Stats: Saudi Arabia 2-3 Spain

Saudi Arabia: Waleed, Shuhail, Hawsawi, Kamil, Mishal (Khairat, 89'), Kariri, Ateef (Abullatifa, 84'), Abdoh (Asiri, 69'), Al Numare (Jezawi, 82'), Al Fraidi, Hazazi (Al Sahlawi 65').

Goals: Hawsawi 17, Al Numare 74,

Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos (Capdevila 60’), Piqué, Puyol (Marchena 60’), Arbeloa, Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Silva (Navas 60’), Xavi (Javi Martínez 75’), Iniesta (Pedro 60’), Villa (Llorente 69’).

Goals: Villa 30, Xabi Alonso 60, Llorente 90 + 1

Photo: RFEF